Another photo find of Westbrook with Steve Smalling. When we could not locate Westbrook for Saturday morning check-in, Steve noted on facebook where Westbrook was at the time, mile 291. Then he covered 4 additional miles to take a break at Steve’s place.

RICHARD WESTBROOK TAKING A BREAK ON SAND MOUNTAIN, LAVS 2019

Westbrook had lost his broom stick cane but then Steve gave him this one to help him along. Here is Westbrook taking a break on Sand Mountain after sitting on the guardrail for a bit.

RICHARD WESTBROOK AT CASTLE ROCK, THE FINISH OF LAVS 2019

HE DID IT!!!! Richard Westbrook at the finish at Castle Rock, where he couldn’t wait to be just so he could sit down. He finished 87th of 88 total screwed runners. Below you see the last finishing group. Richard’s wife, Jan Westbrook, joined him on The Rock.

RICHARD WESTBROOK IN HIS FINISHER’S THROWN AT LAVS 2019

RICHARD WESTBROOK WITH GRANDDAUGHTER, BRAYLEE WESTBROOK, AT THE FINISH OF LAVS 2019

Even Westbrook’s 5 year old granddaughter came out to see him finish. They have both had a long night and are ready for bed.

Thanks for following along and hanging in there with us. He appreciates all the support from everyone.

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Just a quick update because we are headed out there now to find Richard and cheer him on to the finish. He called us earlier from a McDonald’s in Kimball. He still had to go through New Hope and cross the Blue Bridge then up Sand Mountain to Castle Rock.

His current mileage is 303 and he is in 82nd place in a field of 88 screwed runners. He also lost his walking stick, or broom stick, rather.

Oh, he just called. HE IS ON THE BLUE BRIDGE! I hope he is still managing to stay upright. Let’s see him to the finish!

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Well, well, well, Westbrook told me a while back that he had lost his turn sheet information for the course. At first I thought, he as run this so many times surely he knows the course. I asked and he reassured me that he knew where to go. Then I considered, how the hottest July ever coupled with the lack of sleep, enduring pain, and so forth, can induce some level of delirium. What if he is completely confused at some point and gets lost along the way? What if he is walking along in a zombie like daze and walks right passed a turn and unknowingly continues on the wrong route for a good distance?

Unfortunately, he DID get lost, twice. Two other runners happened upon him and realized he was lost and confused. They took him with them to ensure he was on the right path once again. He said they talked and argued with one another and then moved ahead. Westbrook did not have cell phone service to check in so the race admin did not have him on the tracking sheet or map. Once I spoke to him I had to tell him to also check in.

Collectively, we have him at mile 291 just passed Tracy City. He is 79th out of the 89 screwed total. Sandra, from the race admin contacted me to say he is at Steve Smalling’s house and safe. Steve annually has a fantastic aid and rest area for the runners set up. Hopefully, Westbrook can rest for a bit and gather himself enough to make it to the finish without adding extra miles.

After a grueling 204 hours on the road, in the rain and extreme heat, Westbrook has a a heat rash on both upper thighs. His left foot and ankle are very swollen from something that bit him. Even his hands are swollen. He is using a metal broomstick he found back in Lewisburg to help hold him straight up rather than leaning to the left from pain.

With all of this happening, he has reached mile 280 in Tracy City. He sat there on the roadside and had some sweet tea and then a bit further down the road, enjoyed a few slices of pepperoni pizza.

RICHARD WESTBROOK, JUST OUTSIDE TRACY CITY, ENJOYING SOME SWEET TEA

RICHARD WESTBROOK DURING LAVS 2019, APPROACHING TRACY CITY

One more runner has become DNF status (did not finish) leaving 89 total screwed runners. Westbrook is 80th within this group. He is in pain, as I am sure all the runners are or have experienced, but is too determined and too close to drop out. His body may want to stop but his mind propels him forward. In a race against time and Oprah, he is still ahead.

THE TREACHEROUS COURSE, LAVS 2019, BETWEEN TRACY CITY AND JASPER. NO SHOULDER TO RUN ON. WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH MANY BLIND CURVES WHERE IT IS TOO EASY TO NOT BE SEEN AND NOWHERE TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR

8 DAYS = 192 HOURS where Westbrook is passed Hillsboro at mile 260. With 2 days remaining, he has 54 miles until the finish. We heard from him twice last night and some delirium has now set in. The first phone call he talked for a while. The latter call was late and he just wanted to let us know he was going to sleep. When asked where he was he claimed, “I have no idea.” At first he didn’t know what time it was either.

I know he continues to hurt. He is tough and hanging in there. He will make it! Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

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252 Miles behind him, Westbrook is now passed Manchester. Only 22 more miles and he will be in Monteagle having to tackle Monteagle Mountain. He is 80th of 90 total screwed runners.

Below is a photo of the Finisher’s Thrown at Castle Rock, Georgia where every runner wants so desperately to be right now. Nice, isn’t it? And, if you are lucky, there might be something cold to drink in a cooler there for you.

THE THROWN AT THE FINISH OF THE LAST ANNUAL VOL STATE ROAD RACE 2019 (photo credit: Lazarus Lake)

As of this morning at 0730 and 168 hours into the race, Westbrook is passed Wartrace at mile 239. One more screwed runner has quit the race. This places Westbrook 79th out of a total 90 screwed runners.

An article about the race was also picked up and written in the Carroll County, Tennessee newspaper. This race has become FAR more well known these days with articles and so many Road Angels providing pit stops with drinks and snacks.

Earlier in the race, a Road Angel, Kimberly Garrard, snapped a picture with Westbrook. She had this comment to make: “The past few days have been amazing as I got to meet some awesome people, with amazing stories, and determination to finish! Y’all are truly inspiring!!!” I know all the runners greatly appreciate all these people helping them in all different ways even if it is just a chair or cot to relax in/on for a bit.

Let’s all continue to pray for the runners still on the road. The heat is grueling. The humidity is stupid high. The storms are lingering. The traffic is unsafe. Soooo many reasons to call it a day but they tough it out physically and mentally every second of every day until July 21 – the 10th and final day! 10 days to cover 314 miles is craziness. But, don’t we all have a little crazy in us?